Nick Elsey

Hi Hannah. I've only ever recorded them, in September '22 and '23, at Bergh Apton nature reserve in the south-east of our county.

Interesting observations by you guys. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks James and Sara for your help with identifying this structure.

Upton Marshes, Norfolk: 12/8/25 The carcass of a diving beetle larva attracted a number of, what I believe to be, Pond-skater nymphs and a host of, possibly, ostracods or similar.
A few Wall butterflies were spotted along with 9 species of odonata. A lone Wasp Spider was my first for the year.

5th Aug '25: Uncommon sights for our semi-rural garden in south-east Norfolk.
A female Common Toad - Bufo bufo - burrowing into the light soil under a well established mixed hedgerow.
A male Gypsy Moth - Lymantria dispar - a species with a rather chequered history in the British Isles.

Here is the listing of the late summer/early autumn NNNS events. Next up is a walk as part of our current research project at Sweet Briar Marshes (Sat 2nd Aug 2025). A newly added & highly recommended event on Sat 6th Sept 2025 is a walk at Winterton Dunes with Garth Coupland looking for spiders.

A short advert: Nominations Are you or do you know someone who is passionate about natural history and would love to make a difference? If so, we are looking for a new Chair and secretary.

A short advert post: Volunteer Stand Members Required: Could you and your friends help man our NNNS stand at your chose Eco event each year? More events need our presence and we do wish to support these events.

NNNS is run by volunteers. This year Chairman Tony Leech and Secretary Rubyna Sheikh are stepping down, and we are also looking for help attending events, so we would encourage any members who would like to be help or be involved in the running of the Society to get in touch!

27/7/25: Whilst collecting dragonfly and damselfly exuviae on Raveningham Hall wildlife pond, I found this on the underside of a leaf. It was about the size of a £1 coin. I expected it to be a cluster of eggs. Now I'm thinking a feather...Any ideas, please?

The Birds of the Western Palearctic - Wikipedia

We have been contacted by a Norwich-based birder who would like to sell her complete 9-volume set of Birds of the Western Palearctic (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bir...). Older ones have slightly faded covers. She is hoping to get £90 ono. If anyone is interested then I can pass on her contact details

YouTube video by Pond Lab The Fascinating Life Cycle of Dragonflies: From Egg to Adult

Some exceptionally good odonata footage to be seen in this video
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xy7V...

Beautiful insect. Nice find, Hannah. My only sightings of this spectacular tachinid were in the Augusts of 2019, '20 & '21 but nothing since then!

Turning over a new leaf: historic English gardens adapt to the changing climate Head gardeners try out more diverse and drought-resistant plants from around the world, with fascinating results

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Southern Hawker - Aeshna cyanea

cf. Southern Hawker - Aeshna cyanea. This specimen wasn't examined as it was too far out into the shallow pond. NB. Brown Hawker - Aeshna grandis, were on the wing.

18/7/25: I guess that it's inevitable that in pursuit of collecting #dragonfly exuviae, one is likely to end up with a boot full of stinking dyke water! Thankfully, our Norfolk county recorder @pamdragons.bsky.social is very appreciative of these hard earned records. @britishdragonflies.bsky.social

Rex would have been thrilled that his book is a favourite in any naturalists' library. RIP

The Swallowtail - WingSearch2020 The UK race of the Swallowtail butterfly is only found within the fragile habitat of the Norfolk Broads, showcased in this video.

The larvae of Swallowtail butterflies have been recorded successfully breeding on Hemlock and seen feeding on Angelica www.wingsearch2020.com/the-swallowt... Co-author = @hannahbreach.bsky.social
Milk Parsley is susceptible to a wilt caused by a fungus which affects Swallowtail's main foodplant.

Exploring the past to restore our rivers: Insights from the River Wensum — Freshwater Biological Association James White is a research fellow specialising in water sciences at the University of Birmingham. Here, James and colleagues report their collaborative research in which palaeoecological data was used ...

www.fba.org.uk/articles/exp...

Many thanks, James. Reason #365 why I don't even try and identify most things in the BWARS world!

1st July 2025: Gardening activities were pleasantly interrupted when @ruralrubyna.bsky.social initially spotted a female Banded Demoiselle which was quickly followed by a #hoverfly Volucella inflata. The bee hotel now has a new species visiting which I haven't identified as yet. Any ideas. please?

Obviously, they haven't bothered to read the books 😄

It's always nice to know that you continue to find these guys on that particular species of plant, as well as on Milk Parsley.

Norwich and Norfolk History | Some history here . | Facebook Some history here .. all free

www.facebook.com/groups/29071...

Male Banded Demoiselle - Calopteryx splendens

Over-mature female Scarce Chaser - Libellula fulva

20/6/25: A gentle stroll alongside the Rivers Tas and Yare between Arminghall and Trowse, Norfolk produced a healthy population of Banded Demoiselles. LRD, Red-eyed, Blue-tailed, Azure & Common Blue damselflies, Emperor, Norfolk Hawker and Scarce Chaser all recorded. @britishdragonflies.bsky.social

Fenale Banded Demoiselle - Calopteryx splendens

Norfolk Hawker - Aeshna isoceles

Male Emperor Dradonfly - Anax imperator

Painted Lady - Vanessa cardui on Musk Thistle - Carduus nutans.

19th June 2025: A very pleasant hour or so sitting on the banks of the crystal clear River Tas at Caistor Roman Camp #VentaIcenorum #Norfolkdragonflies getting close up and personal with the local #odonata My 1st Painted Lady #butterfly of the year was a bonus @britishdragonflies.bsky.social

Male Black-tailed Skimmer - Orthetrum cancellatum

Common Blue Damselflies - Enellagma cyathigerum

Male Red-eyed Damselfly - Erythromma najas

Female Common Blue Butterfly - Polyommatus icarus

13th June 2025: Low numbers of nine species of #odonata recorded in blustery, hot conditions at #RaveninghamHall #Norfolk All records will be sent on a spreadsheet to #BritishDragonflySociety county recorder. NB. Very few lepidoptera or diptera on the wing.
@britishdragonflies.bsky.social

Wow...what a great set up and project. I would become so engrossed in their activities that very little else would be achieved. And you thought that aquatic invertebrates were time absorbing @ruralrubyna.bsky.social 😅

@ruralrubyna.bsky.social and I have recently joined the #NorfolkGardensTrust which not only offers us the chance to visit some spectacular private gardens but also record the #invertebrates The large pond at #EastCarletonManor produced 9 species of #odonata. However, not a single butterfly was seen!

It's always pleasing to come across old favourites each and every year and I find it surprising what turns up along the rather exposed concrete path leading down to Rockland Broad. It's one of my most reliable local south Norfolk spots to see Wall Browns. Never seen Red-eyes on anything but lilies!

Very nice find, Hannah, and a great photograph.

By all accounts, James, it appears to be a very 'good' year for #aphids

Bird Cherry - Prunus padus - with, presumably, the larvae of Bird Cherry Ermine #moth -Yponomeuta evonymella - and leaf #galls caused by the mite, Phyllocoptes eupadi.
#GooderstoneWaterGardens #Norfolk 11th May 2025